Abu Dhabi Championship 2026: Full field, prize money and some huge names pulling out

The 2026 DP World Tour playoffs get underway this week at Yas Links, with the stakes higher than ever as the battle for the season's ultimate prize intensifies.

Following the conclusion of the Genesis Championship, the top 70 players in the Race to Dubai standings have qualified for the opening playoff event. However, the pressure will ramp up even further next week, when only the top 50 progress to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Rory McIlroy is among the headline attractions in Abu Dhabi as he bids to equal a remarkable record.

The Northern Irishman is chasing his eighth Race to Dubai title, which would see him match Colin Montgomerie's all-time record. However, he has significant ground to make up, trailing current leader Eugenio Chacarra by just shy of 1,000 points.

With two huge events remaining, McIlroy will need a strong finish in the desert if he is to overhaul Chacarra and make history.

Jon Rahm will also be among the headline attractions at Yas Links, although his focus will be on the tournament itself rather than the Race to Dubai title.

The field features plenty of other big names, but not everyone who might have been expected to feature will be making the trip to the Middle East, with several notable absentees from this week's action.

Below, we take a look at the full Abu Dhabi Championship 2026 field, the players who are missing and the prize money on offer at the first DP World Tour playoff event.

Abu Dhabi Championship 2026 prize money

There is plenty at stake in Abu Dhabi, with a huge prize fund up for grabs as the Race to Dubai playoffs begin.

The tournament boasts a total prize purse of $9 million, with the winner set to pocket a staggering $1.5 million for lifting the trophy at Yas Links.

Who is in the field for the Abu Dhabi Championship?

A star-studded field is heading to Yas Links for the opening DP World Tour playoff event, with McIlroy and Rahm leading the way.

Race to Dubai leader Chacarra will be keen to protect his advantage, with Patrick Reed hot on his heels narrowly in front of McIlroy in third. 

Defending champion Aaron Rai is also in the field, as too Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton and David Puig.

With so much quality on show and the Race to Dubai title still up for grabs, Abu Dhabi promises to deliver a fascinating week of golf.

GolfMagic has listed the full Abu Dhabi Championship field below. 

Abu Dhabi Championship Field - in order of Race to Dubai position

As previously mentioned, there are some notable absentees in this week's field. 

Of the standouts, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Matt Fitzpatrick, Alex Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg are not playing in the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, despite finishing in the top 70 of the standings.

Why are some players not playing the Abu Dhabi Championship?

A few weeks ago, MacIntyre’s management team confirmed to GolfMagic that he didn’t want to make the trip over to the Middle East at this time as a reslt of the ongoing conflict in the area.

Matt Fitzpatrick had also already raised concerns on the subject when speaking to reporters at the BMW PGA in September.